By Rayonna Burton-Jernigan and Javonte Anderson With federal food aid in flux, organizations and residents across Gary and Northwest Indiana are stepping up to make sure their neighbors don’t go hungry. Among them is the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, where volunteers and staff are preparing for what could be one of their busiest months […]

Volunteers in bright green safety vests quietly packed food Monday at the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana as U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan talked about the impact of America’s longest government shutdown on poor and vulnerable Hoosiers. Mrvan, D-Highland, came to the Merrillville food bank to learn about its elevated emergency response plan after food […]

By Dan Carden MERRILLVILLE — Congressman Frank J. Mrvan wants Northwest Indiana residents struggling to put food on their tables amid the federal government shutdown, and the interruption of the federal food assistance program, to know they’re not alone. The Highland Democrat declared Monday the Region is united in supporting its neighbors in need and he called on […]

By Cherrish Pryor | Indiana House Minority Floor Leader The federal government shutdown is about to enter its second month. In November, almost 600,000 Hoosiers are at risk of losing their reliable source of food if the federal government does not fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). One in every eight of those relying on SNAP […]

By Aaron Dorman MERRILLVILLE — The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana had their highest volume of mobile meal recipients to date Saturday, with nearly 800 coming out to the pantry in Merrillville, roughly 50% higher than normal. But they also had almost double the regular number of volunteers, including over a dozen from the NWI […]

By Aaron Dorman The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana has had a record year for food distribution; the organization is also bracing for longer lines and increased demand. Just in time for the holiday season, roughly 600,000 Indiana residents are set to see their SNAP benefits halt on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government […]

By Alexandra Kukulka Hammond resident Leah Allen has been receiving $115 a month in SNAP benefits for a little over a year. “It’s not much, but it does help out,” Allen said, adding that she uses SNAP benefits for her groceries, particularly for fresh vegetables. Allen, 69, said she receives Social Security payments, but that covers […]

MERRILLVILLE, IN. – The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, a proud member of the Feeding America network, has been awarded a grant to receive a brand-new refrigerated truck that will boost its ability to deliver fresh, nutritious food across the region. “Through this grant in partnership with the Darden Restaurants Foundation and Penske Truck Leasing, […]

CHICAGO (WLS) — September is Hunger Action Month. According to the newly released Greater Chicagoland Hunger Report, 25% of people in the Chicago area are facing food insecurity. And 36% of households cannot afford the basic cost of living in their county. The Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Food Bank […]

Access to adequate food is a hallmark of a healthy community. Yet in the Greater Chicagoland area, far too many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table. One in four people are facing food insecurity, and more than a third of households (1.4 million households) cannot afford the basic cost of […]